Newly employed civil servants in Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to exempt them from the newly reintroduced contributory pension scheme, arguing that it would worsen the economic hardship facing workers.

The affected workers, who were employed in January 2025, made the appeal in a “Save Our Souls” petition addressed to the governor and made available to journalists on Sunday.

The petition followed the state government’s announcement last week that the contributory pension scheme had been reintroduced for newly recruited civil servants.

In the letter, the workers acknowledged the government’s intention to establish a sustainable pension system but urged the governor to allow them to remain under the pension arrangement that was in place when they accepted their appointments.

According to them, they joined the civil service with the understanding that their conditions of service, including pension benefits, would be the same as those of existing employees.

The petitioners argued that retaining them under the previous pension arrangement would promote industrial harmony, boost workers’ morale and demonstrate the government’s commitment to fairness.

They also maintained that the exemption would recognise the circumstances surrounding their recruitment and ensure uniformity among officers serving within the same public service.